Check out this small overview of the "Lord of the Rings International Brochure" that can currently be purchased at the Official New Line Shop. Nothing is better then actually touching and feeling this brochure, but we're going to try and duplicate the effect using some hi-res scans. [More]

The Scripts for the Lord of the Rings are all kept in a seperate script vault in the New Line Offices around the world. The Warners London office has one script each for all of them, so does Fine Line. The names of the people that the scripts belong to are printed on the pages and if they get out, they are done!

I don't know what the big deal is, I have my copies...provided to me by a fellow with the name of... :)

This interview with Ewart Oakeshott, one of the greatest experts on swordfighting through the ages is a sobering reminder of how ignorant we are nowadays concerning these lost arts. After reading this you can't help thinking that all those wonderful movies where we've been stirred by the clash of sword on sword are just wrong, wrong, wrong! Ow, it hurts to give up a favourite fantasy. But still, thanks to the folks at the Historical Armed Combat Assn. and Gurnsy for the link. [More]

The Alternative Tolkien society updated their website in June. Check out their themed tours of their ever-expanding version of Middle-earth. They also have new Tolkien sweatshirt to buy if you join up!

Ian wrote to say "In case you don't already know, the UK's august edition of "Starlog" is now out in shops with a piece on LotR [pp30-34,] including a new (to me) orc pic and a lot of chat with Barry Osborne [LOTR producer.] Thanks Ian!

Well, spikes are in the news again thanks to that report from Garth over at DarkHorizons. Who knows if there is any truth to the rumor, but my mailbox is full of speculation, theories and anger over this whole debate. [More]

Did you know that the Official New Line Cinema Shop sends you a signed Peter Jackson letter with every purchase of the LOTR books or the audio books? I guess I did, but I didn't realize how cool it was until I opened my shipment today. (Good, now you know what to get me for my birthday on the 18th -Xo)(Don't get all excited Xoanon, its just a good looking copy...And I've already ordered that Harry Potter action figure you wanted - Cal) [More]

The latest David Wenham (Faramir) film 'The Bank' will make its debut July the 18th at the Melbourne International Film Festival, but you can take a look at the RealPlayer trailer now. (RealPlayer needed) [More]

Peter Jackson fans in Melbourne will want to check out the 'Melbourne Underground Film Festival' (lovingly called MUFF). This year they'll be showing 4 PJ films 'Bad Taste', 'Meet the Feebles', 'Braindead' and 'Forgotten Silver'. Be sure to check out the details on the MUFF Site. [More]

Ringer staffer Dune has made a major update to our Brazilian Community member Pelennor.com. Tolkien fans in Brazil have united and formed Valinor!

If you were looking for the best Brazilian Tolkien site, you need look for it no more! Welcome to Valinor, the Land of the Powers, where you can find the most complete information on every aspect of Tolkien'swork, as well on the upcoming LoTR movie trilogy. In Portuguese.[More]

The official LOTR site has posted a news archives section. It's a very interesting read right from the source! Some cool info like Stephen Ure as Gorbag (which we brought to you) and info like exactly what month they filmed the council of Elrond scenes, very cool. [More]

Hollywood.com has provided a great place to download the latest 'Fellowship of the Ring' trailer. You can download 2 versions in Quicktime and multiple versions in either Windows Media Player or Real Player. Once you've seen the trailer for the umptenth time, check out our frame by frame analysis and see Sauron, up close and personal! [More] [Frame by Frame]

Ringer staff member Blasm sent me this link today and I was completely blown away. It is quite obvious that we have a bigtime Tolkien digital artist on our hands! Check out these 3d renderings and animations from David Komorowski, a digital modeler/animator from Georgia . [More]

Another reliable spy has sent me more info on the WETA/SFX situation down in NZ. This spy, who wishes to remain secret, wanted to send us a few numbers regarding just how many SFX shots were farmed out and why.

WETA Digital were originally doing all 337 FX shots planned for The Fellowship of the Ring". As the film was shot and cut, a further 150 FX shots were added to the WETA slate. Now that the film is in its last stages of Post Production, any additional shots are being farmed out.

This is simply because WETA are at maximum capacity. As it stands today, WETA are working on over 500 shots, Digital Domain are doing 6 and Animal Logic are doing 3.

I wish we could just find out which 9 shots DD and Animal Logic are working on!

The following report came to me by way of a very reliable source that has contributed things in the past that have proven to be right. It seems that WETA is going to shop out some of the effects work on the trilogy to some other (big and small) special effects houses around the world. [More]

Cuthalion takes a time machine and dips into the future to tell us what will be in the next issue of Vanity Fair. There's something deep inside that makes me laugh when I think about Dominic Monaghan chilling with Jackie Chan. [More]

"More bad news for us poor Croatian fans again! The theater guy at "Broadway Theatres" said that the info about the first trailer being shown next week is false. The trailer won't show until september!!! And it will be the first trailer only. The good news is we have confirmation on the movie itself coming in January! Something is better than nothing, eh?"